Offering a workplace environment where it’s “Easy Maging Best Me” (Easy to Be My Best Me), McDonald’s Philippines has been providing employment opportunities for many Filipinos, particularly working students, for over 40 years. As one of the country’s biggest youth employers, McDonald’s understands the changing needs of the workforce, including the entrance of Generation Z employees, or those born between 1997 to 2012—anchored on providing flexible work arrangements, opportunities for growth, and a feel-good working environment.
Flexible, Future-Facing, and Friendly
Since Chairman and Master Franchise Holder Dr. George T. Yang opened the first store in Manila in 1981, McDonald’s Philippines has practiced direct employment and non-contractualization, providing job security for its over 65,000 workforce.
“We have always believed that providing our employees job security makes good business sense,” says Dr. Yang. “By taking away worries about their job status, employees can focus on growing as workers and as individuals, allowing them to become the best that they can be. The time they spend in store also exposes them to various stations, and allows them to master various aspects of our operations.”
On top of job security, employees are also offered flexible work schedules, especially for working students, who comprise 70 percent of the McDonald’s workforce. They also gain access to world-class learning programs that provide them important life skills, which can be used throughout their professional lives, whether they choose to stay at the company or not. A culture of friendship and camaraderie also contributes to keeping the workplace conducive to feel-good moments.
“At McDonald’s, we are committed to continuously cultivating a value-driven work culture that allows our people to learn life-long skills,” says Adi Hernandez, McDonald’s Philippines Assistant Vice President for Corporate Relations and Impact. “We are proud of the training and development programs we provide as it enables our employees to take on new challenges and responsibilities so they can progress in the company—we are able to elevate and upskill them to help them be their Best Me.”
Easy Maging Best Me
McDonald’s open invitation to Gen Z to start a career with the company is supported by its “Easy Maging Best Me” campaign, which offers jobs that enable young workers to easily be their Best Self. One of the campaign’s highlights is the launch of a short film, featuring current and former McDonald’s employees who have made a name for themselves in their chosen fields.
The “Easy Maging Best Me” film features award-winning broadcast journalist Rico Hizon. Before his high-profile stints in local and international news networks, Hizon started as a service crew member at McDonald’s Greenhills in 1983. He recalls: “During my time at McDo, I really appreciated how integrity was part of the everyday work. Kahit sa anong trabaho, honesty and integrity matter. With lifelong learning sa McDo, easy maging best me.” (Honesty and integrity matter in whatever line of work. And with lifelong learning at McDo, it’s easy to be the best me.)
Also featured in the campaign are Charlene Perdigon, one of the rising stars of Philippine volleyball and former McDonald’s Lucena Diversion (Quezon Province) crew member in 2021; Real Florido, independent filmmaker and former McDonald’s United Nations crew member in 2003; Tess Lopez, an assistant vice president at a major toy company and former McDonald’s Katipunan crew member in 1991; and Eric Castro, who started as a crew member at McDonald’s Gotesco in 1995, rising from the ranks to become an operations manager.
Each of them represents the brand’s values and promise to nurture employees, so they can become the best versions of themselves during their stay at the company, or even beyond.
Aside from the film, McDonald’s is also lining up a series of exciting activities for the “Easy Maging Best Me” campaign as a way to bring vibrant and dynamic career prospects for in-school workers, fresh graduates, and everyone else in search of fulfilling and meaningful work.
Says Hernandez: “Every McDonald’s store in the country does not only provide feel-good moments for our customers, it also generates opportunities for work as well as career growth. Each McDonald’s employee—from service crew to management trainee to restaurant support professional—gains important skills and experiences that they can always use, whether they choose to stay and grow with us or pursue other prospects.”
Interested applicants are invited to scan this QR code, or visit the McDonald’s Philippines Facebook page.
Sustaining Growth
McDonald’s commitment to providing exciting work opportunities aligns with the company’s strategy for continued growth and supports the brand’s vision of nationwide accessibility. This ambitious expansion plan is part of the signing of a New Term License between Chicago-based McDonald’s Corporation and the Golden Arches Development Corporation (GADC, or McDonald’s Philippines). Under the agreement, McDonald’s Philippines Chairman and Founder Dr. George T. Yang and President and CEO Kenneth S. Yang have the exclusive right in the Philippines to own, develop, and operate, as well as sub-franchise McDonald’s stores over a period of 20 years.
In 2025, the company is opening at least 65 new stores in the country, focusing on fast-developing areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Each new store provides employment opportunities for 80 to 100 individuals, signifying the company’s commitment to supporting local economic development.
Today, the Philippines is one of the top 10 McDonald’s markets in the world. Its store network is present in all regions in the country, and it is all set to breach the 800-store milestone in 2025.
Those who wish to join the McDonald’s Philippines family are encouraged to visit the nearest McDonald’s store, McDo PH’s social media channels for the latest opportunities for prospective employees to be their Best Me.